Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
Weneke, that's really sweet.
HUGS!
0 -
Leslie --- Ask as the hospital when you should take your pills. I know at mine they do not mix the Chemo until you check in. So I get a time to check in and a time to start the chemo. My pills said 30 mins. before chemo and I was told to wait and take them when I got to the hospital. Just verify....
Good Luck to you.... I personally found it very easy, brought my Ipad and a snack..
Today I get my First Herceptin along with my Second Taxol. Hopefully I will be finished with the Taxol before Christmas.
0 -
Good luck today, Elizabeth!
0 -
I saw my dr. yesterday and they told me since I had the surgery on the left side, to not have my bp or blood drawn from that side now... i thought it was just if you already had lymphodema, but guess this is to prevent it
0 -
Judy, I was also told no injections (such as the flu shot) on that side, too. Forever. It's just a precaution for most of us, I think, but why take a chance?
HUGS!
0 -
Welcome Miko, Celand, Goincrzy8, Weneke6, I see a couple of you on other boards like the Fall Rads thread.
Leslie, I went through all my infusions for chemo with an IV in the hand, but I agree with Italy, if you have Herceptin, I'd go the port route also. I only had to have 4 infusions with the two drugs. My veins held up just fine, but I understand the perception goes on for multiple infusions. Because my right arm veins kept rolling higher up, all blood work and IVs had to go into my hand. Consequently, I could just wear loose tops that were comfortable. And do take the Claritin! In fact, I doubled up the dose for a few days. I still had pretty bad bone pain, but I think it would have been even worse without the Claritin. Even the MOs office recommended it.
Peggy, I don't think we all tell you often enough how much you help us! You are one of the constants on this board and are both real and positive. Especially since you've been around for quite a while, your experience and advice is so appreciated!
0 -
Dara, thank you. I appreciate your exceptionally kind words. I can never give back all the love and support this forum has given me. But I'm trying
HUGS!
0 -
You know I've never been part of an on-line group, and I have to say you all are so wonderful, reassuring and easy to talk to. I'm so glad I managed to find my way here. Welcome to the new people have joined in the last couple of weeks.
Well, I saw my MO today and as I expected, it's my decision whether to have chemo or not. So, I am probably going to have it and need to come to terms with that decision (but I am struggling with it). The MO said she discussed my case with a group of colleagues prior to recommending the treatment. Following are the reasons chemo would be recommended with an Oncotype score is in the middle (23). I have a high KI67 rate (23), lymphovascular invasion, my ER + % 49 (not closer to 100), my PR + % 44 (not closer to 100), and my age (longer life expectancy).
So, the plan would be 4 rounds of chemo including Taxotere and Cytoxan, every three weeks. The MO thought it could be done through IV. I was curious if anyone had an opinion on whether to go ahead and get a port or just use the IV.
Anyway, if anyone has thoughts to share, please do.
IHGJAnn49 - I'm so sorry to hear about your car wreck but I'm glad you're ok.
Dara - so you said you used an IV for your chemo and not a port. Were you glad you made that decision? Any pros or cons you can think of for IV versus port?
Leslie - good luck with your chemo. I will probably be joining you in that adventure soon.....
Elizabeth - I hope your treatment went well today.
0 -
614, nice to see you! I hope tatatootsie feels all of us dancing in her pocket!! ILSunrise, I think you made a wise decision about chemo.
0 -
ILSunrise, I had chemo last fall. My Oncotype was 23, also, but I was grade 2, ER+/PR- ,which is considered to be more aggressive. For me, making the decision to have chemo wasn't hard at all. I did not go with an IV because I have terrible vein access on my good arm. All my good veins are in my right arm, which unfortunately cannot be used except in an emergency due to SNB. I had a LOT of complications after my LX and re-excision, so my BS feels that my risk for lymphedema is higher than it normally would be. Can't be too careful there.
I didn't find TC to be too very awful. Sure, I had a lot of fatigue, lost my hair, and had changes in taste. I had one episode of sepsis, which kicked my butt for about 5 days in the hospital and recovery of about 2 weeks. I also had 2 other episodes of fever which put me in the ER for about 8 hours each time. And about 2 weeks after my last chemo I came down with the Mother of All Stomach Viruses and ended up in the ER for dehydration and vomiting management. Thankfully, my schedule is flexible and I was able to work from home. As such, I only missed about 5 days work in those 4 months. My boss was extremely supportive, as well.
So, I didn't mean to scare you but just wanted to say, even with some bumps in the road I felt that chemo was doable. I am glad I had it because I really, really don't want this to happen again. My MO and I both felt that chemo, plus BMX was my best action for preventing future BC (I had the BMX because of gene mutations, not chemo--otherwise, I would have just stuck with the LX.)
0 -
I had my first sim... they had to redo some of the pictures.. said I lost volume, and I looked in the mirror,, sure did.
I just about had to 'pry' myself off the table it hurt so much, but think part is due to collision too
They're taking more pics tomorrow, don't know if it will include the rads. They have me set up every day til Dec. 2 except for the 22, then I have 3.. but nothing over Thanksgiving...
Sunrise, I'm in the mid range too, but my MO said at my age, the risk outweighs the benefits, so I didn't choose Chemo.. No Regrets.. it's hard to believe i'm almost 70.. where did the time go...
0 -
Sunrise, your chemo tx is the exact same as what I did and just finished my last one 3 weeks ago. While it certainly wasn't fun, it was no where near as difficult as I expected. I did the IV and am glad I did that. Since I only needed 4 treatments, my MO suggested I try it with IV as it's once less thing going into the body and less chance of infection and problems. I know some worry about the toll it takes on veins, but I had no problem whatsoever. I made sure I drank lots of water the morning of infusion and I really didn't have any issues. I had no nausea until my 4th treatment and then it was mostly icky stomach. My main SE was fatigue and bone pain from the neulasta pod they gave me to improve white blood count. I was 64 at dx but my MO said I definitely should plan to be around in 10 years with no recurrence so I did the chemo. No regrets at all! I've got too many things to still do in life and I feel great.
Judy, I'll bet most of the pain you had was from the accident. I've been in enough accidents to know that e3very muscle screams after a collision! Good luck with the next one.
0 -
Just finished radiation today. I felt somber after leaving, not jumping up or down. I think I am coming to terms with what I have been through since August 1st. November is for healing and decompression. Not sure how to behave since I have either been having surgery or radiation for 3 months.
0 -
Congrats on finishing Michelle. Physical over, let the mental healing begin.
Sunrise, I'm with Dara, it depends on how many treatments you are getting if you need a port or not. If I were doing 4 or so, I probably wouldn't bother either, but I'm getting 3 FEC, then 3 D with Hep, then an additional 15 Hep.....so yeah, I'll get the port.
Can't take my last pill until 9:30, so I'm going to putter and watch tv until then. Night all.
0 -
sunrise I did six cycles three weeks apart and used IV, I had absolutely no problems with it. They had no trouble finding veins, I have no vein damage. I guess for me the pro was avoiding another procedure, or a picc line which I did not want to because you cannot get it wet and it is not good if you try to be active as I did.
Leslie how are you? How was today?
0 -
Congrats Michelle. Now it's time to heal, you will be surprised how quickly this all starts to feel like a dream. It's been almost exactly one year since my diagnosis on October 27, and it's really hard to believe everything I've been through in that year.
You are a rockstar.
0 -
Welcome to all the new gals here, and in the pockets of everyone beginning various treatments and scheduled for doctors’ appts (as well as congrats for those finishing chemo & rads).
Please forgive me for not catching up earlier—I was in IA City Wed-Sun for a folk music conference and then a concert I opened; had Bar Show rehearsal yesterday; and despite a 6-run lead, nail-biting over game 6. Game 7 is starting in a few minutes. (Better order a pizza—no cooking for me tonight).
That’s because I had my left cataract surgery “farmer-early” this morning down on the SW Side. (Basically, I merely napped last night for about 4 hrs., tossing & turning for most of it). This time the nurse zeroed in on one vein in my left forearm, and hit her mark on the first try. Had a different anesthesiologist, who agreed to give me plenty of loopy-juice in my IV. Good thing, because my eyes are pretty sensitive (the pre-op drops all burned and the post-op ones will too for the next several weeks) and it took awhile for the numbing drops to take effect. Unlike my first surgery, I was awake the whole time. No suture necessary this time. I began feeling the soreness and “foreign-body sensation” en route home in the pouring rain.
(HELLO—Dexter Fowler just led off with a homer).
Meanwhile, back at the eye. I napped and my eye really hurt like hell. But this time I realized that it was mostly my long lashes getting hung up on the dressing. The surgeon said I could take off the dressing but leave the shield on, and take extra-strength Tylenol, so that’s what I did—the Tylenol, not the dressing removal. So far, so good. Much easier than the first time. Have my followup in the morning. I have bid farewell to my glasses (they don’t fit well over the shield and I look weird with them sliding down my nose)—no more distance correction. Just readers & shades from now on.
I was planning to have champagne tonight (had some last night) no matter what—either way, the Cubs had a marvelous season. But no alcohol for 24 hrs! (They didn’t tell me that the first time, nor Bob last month. Could be that this time I had Versed—a liquid super-benzo—rather than Propofol, aka milk of amnesia; and they’re afraid it won’t be out of my system till morning).
0 -
Sandy, glad your surgery is done but damn! That is sooooo wrong with no champagne tonight. Cubbies are going to win!!!
Michelle, Yippee for finishing up your rads!
Judy, your poor girls shrank? NOOOO!!!
Leslie, how are you doing??
ILSunrise, we're with you. I think you've made the right choice too. What a tough one. Hard to get your mind around.
If I've missed anyone, I'm sorry
HUGS!!!
0 -
Hey ladies. Thought I posted here; I either did and didn't hit submit (which I seem to have a bad habit of doing so..this site reacts differently than another forum I'm on) or I just posted to another thread and thought it was here.
Wasn't too bad. Went faster than I thought, was interesting seeing how they did it all, and so far (knock on wood) I'm feeling ok. Hoping to get a real night sleep tonight, unlike the past week.
Talk to you in the morning. 0 -
Leslie, now that you've been through your first chemo, you know what to expect and your mind can be at ease. Sleep good!!
HUGS!
0 -
Hi everyone!
Path report in. Only DCIS found, Smaller then they thought at only 1 cm. Doc says all margins were clean, but one was less the 1mm and he wants go back in to clean it up. SoI go in tomorrow at 11 to clean just that one margin. He see no issues in getting the 2mm he wants.
So more fun. Is the second Lumpectomy hurt or cause more issues like infection? I really have had very little issues with pain or anything. He will be going back through the same incision.
0 -
YAY Michelle you did it! Congrats on finishing rads!
Leslie, glad entering went well. Hope no se
0 -
Weneke, It doesn't show when you had your first Lx and sometimes that can make a difference. I didn't have to have a "clean up" surgery. Some gals have said it wasn't bad. Hope that's the case for you! Good luck and in your pocket tomorrow.
HUGS!
0 -
Just heard Maren Morris sing her "My Church" song on CMA 50th. Kind of how I am feeling today - can I get a hallelujah ... can I get an Amen. I am going to have my own "soul" revival this month. Anyone heard from Tootsie - her surgery was yesterday?
0 -
GO cubbies!!!!! Now finish it....!
AMEN!
0 -
Weneke, I had to go back in for clean margins. Not much different than first surgery. I took pain pills into 2nd day, mostly for just in case (& to appease DH) Only difference is that I had SNB with re-excision, because they found IDC during first lx. In your pocket tomorrow!
0 -
Thank you!!!
The recovery has been really good and the Doctor is pleased, but he just wants to clean this up a little he said. I was hoping to go to my daughters school carnival on Saturday, but I am not sure I can now.
Yes, I am taking Tylenol around the clock to make hubby happy. LOL. Don't really need it.
Drat!!! over throw....
0 -
New here and have lots of questions but will start with pain. Had lumpectomy sent bx and axillary dissect last Monday. Seems like most folks dont have alot of pain--BUT find I need Tyl/ Advil round the clock. I only have taken Vicodin few times. Doc said she took some fascia and path report describes muscle. Need to return to work Tuesday and wondering if this will clear up. I am also wondering if the emotional roller coaster of the last month has my system messed up.
I have been reading these for last week and was hoping someone could help. Still not sure if chemo is in plan as Oncotype was just prdered. Any help would be appreciated. Please know you are all my heros able to have all this incredible strength. It has not yet gotten to me
0 -
TBirdy, First, you are definitely not alone. The roller coaster takes some time to settle down. I just finished rads today and plan to try to recover during the month of November. You have been one busy girl this month with a diagnosis and lumpectomy. I was the same way, diagnosed on 8/8 officially and surgery on 8/30. Why did your doctor take ancillary lymph nodes? Usually it is sentinal node biopsy not ancillary. If your doctor took muscle, again unusual, you might take a while to recover. I have the same diagnosis as you and my oncotype was 14.... no chemo. Hopefully yours will be the same. Did they find your breast cancer on a mammogram?
0 -
Michelle- congrats on finishing rads! You deserve having that over with!
0
